26 | SEPTEMBER 26 • 2024 
J
N

M

any large donors are 
deserting the University 
of Windsor following a 
deal made with pro-Palestinian 
protesters. 
The Windsor Star reported on 
Sept. 13 that “once-faithful donors 
have withdrawn pledges to help, 
or stopped donating to, various 
initiatives, ranging from addressing 
the housing crisis to renovating the 
university’s law school.”
Business magnate and 
philanthropist Barry Zekelman is 
among the largest donors to pull 
support. A $1 million pledge that 
Zekelman Industries made to set up 
a new UWindsor center focused on 
innovative construction solutions to 
the housing crisis is off the table. 
Prominent Toronto lawyer and 
UWindsor alumnus Jay Kellerman 

withdrew a pledge to donate “tens 
of thousands of dollars” over time 
to the law school. 
Stephen Cheifetz, a Windsor 
lawyer and president of the 
Windsor Jewish Federation, also 
pulled funding for a law school 
bursary over the deal. 
UWindsor signed an agreement 
July 10 to meet multiple demands 
from pro-Palestinian protesters 
to end the “Liberation Zone” 
encampment they set up on campus 
in May. Similar protests appeared 
at universities across Canada 
and the United States, including 
in Michigan, as the war in Gaza 
between Israel and Hamas escalated. 
Among the contentious features 
of the deal was a university promise 
not to pursue any academic 
agreements with Israeli universities 

“until the right of Palestinian self-
determination has been realized,” 
unless supported by its senate. 
The university also committed to 
more “responsible investing” and 
better screening of where it makes 
investments. 
Regarding responsible invest-
ments, UWindsor recognized that 
the United Nations “has found 
Israel, the occupying power, 
to be in serious violation of 
international law and human rights 
in the conduct of its occupation of 
Palestinian territory.” 
B’nai Brith Canada, the Friends 
of Simon Wiesenthal Center, the 
Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, 
Hillel Ontario and the Windsor 
Jewish Federation were among 
the organizations to condemn the 
UWindsor deal. 

“The University of Windsor 
upholds the highest standards of 
respect and confidentiality for our 
valued donors,” UWindsor said in 
an email responding to the Windsor 
Star’s request for comment. The 
university, however, did not address 
questions about the impact of losing 
donations. 
“Our country, province, 
community and university are 
made up of people with diverse 
backgrounds and perspectives,” 
UWindsor stated. “Understandably, 
responses to global events and 
university decisions differ widely 
among individuals and groups 
… The University of Windsor is 
focused on providing an inclusive, 
safe and respectful environment for 
all.” 

Business magnate and philanthropist Barry Zekelman is among 
the largest donors to pull support after pro-Palestinian protesters’ deal.
Many Donors Abandon UWindsor 

DANNY SCHWARTZ SENIOR STAFF REPORTER

OUR COMMUNITY

